2026 comparison
Marcq-en-Barœul vs Roubaix: 2026 comparison
Roubaix has more inhabitants than Marcq-en-Barœul: 98,701 versus 40,930, or 2.4 times as many. Marcq-en-Barœul covers a larger area (14.0 km² versus 13.2 km²), but Roubaix is more densely populated: 7,460 inhabitants per km² versus 2,915.
The median apartment price is higher in Marcq-en-Barœul: €3,467 per m² versus €2,106. The median standard of living is higher in Marcq-en-Barœul (€33,330 a year versus €16,080).
The two cities are 6.0 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Lille (partie française)).
Marcq-en-Barœul
City in Nord
- Population
- 40,930 inhab.
- 197th in France · 9th in its department
- Area
- 14.0 km²
- Density
- 2,915 per km²
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© Mairie de roubaix, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Roubaix
City in Nord
- Population
- 98,701 inhab.
- 44th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 13.2 km²
- Density
- 7,460 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Marcq-en-BarœulRoubaix
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Roubaix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Roubaix2.4 times as high | 40,930 | 98,701 | More populous: Roubaix2.4 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Marcq-en-Barœul+4.0 pts | +4.2% | +0.2% | Stronger growth: Marcq-en-Barœul+4.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Roubaix+0.5 pt | +2.0% | +2.5% | Stronger growth: Roubaix+0.5 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Roubaix2.6 times as high | 2,915 | 7,460 | Denser: Roubaix2.6 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Roubaix+6.0 pts | 18.2% | 24.1% | More young people: Roubaix+6.0 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Marcq-en-Barœul+7.9 pts | 20.1% | 12.2% | More seniors: Marcq-en-Barœul+7.9 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Roubaix+0.30 | 2.17 | 2.47 | Larger households: Roubaix+0.30 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Roubaix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+65% | 3,467 | 2,106 | More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+65% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul2.9 times as high | 4,112 | 1,412 | More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul2.9 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+17% | 15.5 | 13.3 | More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+17% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+54% | 14.6 | 9.5 | More expensive: Marcq-en-Barœul+54% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Marcq-en-Barœul+25 pts | 58.5% | 33.5% | More homeowners: Marcq-en-Barœul+25 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Marcq-en-Barœul+10 pts | 51.6% | 41.5% | More houses: Marcq-en-Barœul+10 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | 20.0% | — | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Marcq-en-Barœul+0.5 pt | 1.3% | 0.7% | More second homes: Marcq-en-Barœul+0.5 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Roubaix+4.0 pts | 5.5% | 9.5% | More vacant homes: Roubaix+4.0 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Roubaix+17 pts | 34.75% | 51.97% | Higher rate: Roubaix+17 pts |
Sources: DGFiP (DVF), Ministry of Housing (rent map), INSEE, census, Ministry for the Ecological Transition (SRU), DGFiP, local taxation
Income and jobs
Residents’ income and jobs
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Roubaix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Marcq-en-Barœul2.1 times as high | 33,330 | 16,080 | Higher: Marcq-en-Barœul2.1 times as high |
| Poverty rateHigher: Roubaix+37 pts | 10.7% | 47.4% | Higher: Roubaix+37 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Marcq-en-Barœul3.1 times as high | €54,875 | €17,788 | Higher: Marcq-en-Barœul3.1 times as high |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Marcq-en-Barœul+38 pts | 62% | 23% | More taxpaying households: Marcq-en-Barœul+38 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Marcq-en-Barœul+17 pts | 78.0% | 61.5% | Higher: Marcq-en-Barœul+17 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Roubaix+16 pts | 9.2% | 25.2% | Higher: Roubaix+16 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Roubaix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Loïc Cathelain | David Guiraud | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | La France insoumise | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Marcq-en-Barœul+4.1 pts | 98% | 94% | Better covered: Marcq-en-Barœul+4.1 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Roubaix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Roubaix+43% | 44.2181 in total | 63.4626 in total | More shops per capita: Roubaix+43% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roubaix+96% | 13.254 in total | 25.8255 in total | More per capita: Roubaix+96% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roubaix+73% | 25.4104 in total | 44.1435 in total | More per capita: Roubaix+73% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roubaix+16% | 11.547 in total | 13.3131 in total | More per capita: Roubaix+16% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roubaix+35% | 1.04 in total | 1.313 in total | More per capita: Roubaix+35% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul2.4 times as high | 1.04 in total | 0.44 in total | More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul2.4 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Roubaix+1 | 0 | 1 | More stations: Roubaix+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Roubaix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Marcq-en-Barœul+11% | 5.7 | 5.2 | Better access: Marcq-en-Barœul+11% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+24% | 13.455 in total | 10.8107 in total | More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+24% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul5.3 times as high | 43.2177 in total | 8.180 in total | More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul5.3 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+91% | 10.342 in total | 5.453 in total | More per capita: Marcq-en-Barœul+91% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roubaix+9% | 2.711 in total | 2.929 in total | More per capita: Roubaix+9% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Roubaix+11 | 2 | 13 | More facilities: Roubaix+11 |
Practitioners and facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print); access to doctors includes those in neighboring communes. Sources: Ministry of Health (DREES), APL, INSEE, facilities database (BPE), Ministry of Health (Finess)
Education
Schools and colleges
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Roubaix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Roubaix+40 | 19 | 59 | More schools: Roubaix+40 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Roubaix+12 | 5 | 17 | More middle schools: Roubaix+12 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Roubaix+8 | 5 | 13 | More high schools: Roubaix+8 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Roubaix+11 | 3 | 14 | More facilities: Roubaix+11 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Roubaix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Roubaix+3% | 8.1 | 8.3 | Higher rate: Roubaix+3% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Roubaix+45% | 8.0 | 11.6 | Higher rate: Roubaix+45% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Roubaix3.6 times as high | 1.9 | 6.7 | Higher rate: Roubaix3.6 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Roubaix+66% | 2.2 | 3.7 | Higher rate: Roubaix+66% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Roubaix+85% | 7.4 | 13.8 | Higher rate: Roubaix+85% |
Offenses recorded in the commune by the police and gendarmerie, per 1,000 inhabitants (per 1,000 homes for burglaries); this is not the actual crime level. Rates for the latest published year. Source: Ministry of the Interior (SSMSI)
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Roubaix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Roubaix+7 | 9 | 16 | More declarations: Roubaix+7 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Roubaix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Marcq-en-Barœul+6% | 14.0 | 13.2 | Larger: Marcq-en-Barœul+6% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Roubaix+9 m | 20 m | 30 m | Higher: Roubaix+9 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Nord (59) | Nord (59) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Métropole Européenne de Lille | Métropole Européenne de Lille | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Lille (partie française) | Lille (partie française) | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Lille (partie française) | Lille (partie française) | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Marcq-en-Barœul vs Roubaix at a glance
| Criterion | Marcq-en-Barœul | Roubaix |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 40,930 | 98,701 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.0% | +2.5% |
| Density per km² | 2,915 | 7,460 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,467 | 2,106 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,112 | 1,412 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.5 | 13.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 34.75% | 51.97% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 33,330 | 16,080 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 9.2% | 25.2% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 94% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.7 | 5.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 8.1 | 8.3 |
| Average temperature | 11.3°C | 11.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,627 | 1,627 |
| Area km² | 14.0 | 13.2 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Marcq-en-Barœul vs Roubaix: your questions
Which is the larger city, Marcq-en-Barœul or Roubaix?
By population, Roubaix: 98,701 inhabitants versus 40,930 for Marcq-en-Barœul (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Roubaix is the 44th largest city in France, Marcq-en-Barœul the 197th. By area, Marcq-en-Barœul is the larger (14.0 km²).
How far is Marcq-en-Barœul from Roubaix?
Marcq-en-Barœul and Roubaix are 6.0 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Nord).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Marcq-en-Barœul or Roubaix?
To buy an apartment, Marcq-en-Barœul is more expensive: €3,467 per m² (median price), versus €2,106 in Roubaix (+65%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Marcq-en-Barœul or Roubaix?
In Marcq-en-Barœul, half of the residents have a standard of living above €33,330 a year, versus €16,080 in Roubaix (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Marcq-en-Barœul and Roubaix in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Nord (59), in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures